US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.
Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry in the polar region. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.